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Novak Djokovic: Judge asks 'what more could this man have done?' - no decision yet in court hearing

Novak Djokovic has been held in isolation since his original visa was cancelled on arrival in Australia on Thursday; the world No 1 had said he had flown to Australia with an "exemption" ahead of defending his men's singles title at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic

The court hearing Novak Djokovic's appeal in Melbourne has ruled that the player should be removed from the Park Hotel in Carlton during the hearing, while Judge Anthony Kelly has expressed agitation over the rejection of Djokovic's medical exemption.

The Federal Circuit Court of Australia is hearing Djokovic's appeal against a decision to refuse the tennis player a visa ahead of the Australian Open.

The court published an order made yesterday that Djokovic be taken from the Park Hotel - where he has been held since Thursday - and brought to "a premises as specified by the applicant's solicitors" during the hearing.

Novak Djokovic

The order states: "The respondent, by her servants or agents, including the Australian Border Force, take all steps and do all things as may be necessary to bring the applicant to premises as specified by the applicant's solicitors on Monday, 10 January 2022 (and each day thereafter, including upon the delivery of judgment), to permit him to remain there until the conclusion of each hearing and to secure his safe return to detention upon the conclusion of each hearing."

The hearing was delayed by technical issues with the court's video link, but Djokovic's lawyers argued their case to Judge Kelly, who asked the court "What more could this man have done?" and said he was "agitated" about the issue of Djokovic's medical exemption.

Novak Djokovic is a nine-time champion at the Australian Open and has won the title the last three years
Image: Novak Djokovic is a nine-time champion at the Australian Open and has won the title the last three years

"Here, a professor and an eminently qualified physician have produced and provided to the applicant a medical exemption," Judge Kelly said.

"Further to that, that medical exemption and the basis on which it was given was separately given by a further independent expert specialist panel established by the Victorian state government and that document was in the hands of the delegate."

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Djokovic's lawyer, Nicholas Wood, has argued the notice of intention to cancel his visa was defective because it was made on "a confusing blend of two grounds".

He also argued that Djokovic was treated at the airport as if access to lawyers "couldn't possibly" be of assistance in the matter and was not given a reasonable chance to respond to the notice.

Counsel for the Australian Government Christopher Tran will argue Djokovic did respond to the notice.

At a press conference, Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison was asked by a reporter to respond to comments from Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley stating he was given conflicting government advice on medical exemptions.

Novak Djokovic

Mr Morrison said: "Well, the matter is before the court so I can't comment on the matter before the court ... but in relation to the government, our government, the federal government's advice to Tennis Australia, that was set out very clearly in November, as I read the extract from this very podium, it could not be more clear."

Mr Morrison refused to comment on court documents submitted by the government which indicate Djokovic may remain in detention if he wins his case in court.

The documents urged the court to only "quash the decision and costs" and said, "it is inappropriate to make any further orders, whether they be for immediate release or even remitter to the delegate for reconsidering according to the law".

They also noted: "An order for immediate release does not prevent re-detention if there is power to detain."

Novak Djokovic - Sequence of events

January 4 - Djokovic announces he will be travelling to Australia with an 'exemption permission'.
January 5 - While Djokovic is airborne, Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the athlete will be on the "next plane home" if he cannot provide "acceptable proof" that his exemption is legitimate.
Acting Sports Minister Jaala Pulford highlights that the local government of Victoria, where the Australian Open is held, will not support Djokovic's visa application.
The world No 1 arrives at Melbourne Airport around 11.30pm local time.
January 6 - Around 3.15am, Djokovic's father reports that his son is being held in isolation in Melbourne Airport.
At 5am, Goran Ivanisevic releases an image on social media of himself and another member of Djokovic's team seemingly waiting for the world No 1. The post is captioned, ‘Not the most usual trip Down Under’.
Around 8.15am local time, Djokovic's visa is confirmed to have been denied by the Australian Border Force.
Djokovic is moved to quarantine hotel while his legal team appeal visa cancellation.
The appeal against his visa cancellation is adjourned until Monday (Jan 10) morning Australian time.
January 7 - Australia Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews says Djokovic is "free to leave any time" and is not being detained.
Djokovic breaks silence in Instagram post on Friday, thanking his fans for their "continuous support".
January 8 - Submission from Djokovic's lawyers on Saturday reveals positive Covid-19 test in December.
January 9 - Home Affairs Minister Andrews has a submission to delay the hearing until Wednesday (Jan 12) rejected by Judge Anthony Kelly.
Submission from Australian government lawyers says Djokovic had not been given an assurance he would be allowed to enter the country with his medical exemption.

It was revealed in court documents submitted by Djokovic's lawyers that the player had been infected with Covid-19 in December 2021. The documents said the infection was the basis of Djokovic's medical exemption.

The documents also noted that Djokovic expressed "shock", "surprise, and "confusion" when he was notified of his visa cancellation "given that (as he understood it) he had done everything he was required to enter Australia".

But Australia's Home Affairs Department filed court documents in which it stated "there is no such thing as an assurance of entry by a non-citizen into Australia" and noted that the Minister has the power to cancel Djokovic's visa a second time if the court rules in his favour.

"As the Court raised with the parties at a previous mention, if this Court were to make orders in the applicant's favour, it would then be for the respondent to administer the Act in accordance with law. That may involve the delegate deciding whether to make another cancellation decision, but there are also other powers in the Act, as the Court would be aware."

Djokovic's Aussie Open debacle: What's happened?

Djokovic flew to Australia with a 'vaccine exemption' and arrived in Melbourne on Wednesday, but was ultimately denied entry into the country after nine hours at the airport.

The Serb's visa was one that did not allow for medical exemptions and was cancelled, after which he was moved to hotel quarantine as his team launched an appeal - this appeal has been adjourned until Monday morning at 10am local time (Sunday 11pm GMT).

The Australian Home Affairs department appealed for the hearing to be delayed until Wednesday, but their request was rejected on Sunday by Judge Anthony Kelly.

On Sunday, the govt filled documents in defence of their decision to deny Djokovic entry. "This is because there is no such thing as an assurance of entry by a non-citizen into Australia. Rather, there are criteria and conditions for entry, and reasons for refusal or cancellation of a visa," the government's filing said.

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